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50 Hortense St
Glen Iris, VIC, 3146
Australia
0490 126 293
Practice of Jeremy Woolhouse, pianist and Alexander Technique Teacher in Melbourne, Australia
Specialist in working with musicians, RSI, posture re-education, neck, back and chronic pain management.
Monthly blog articles by Jeremy Woolhouse. Alexander Technique for daily life, music performance, specialised activities, pain relief and management.
Filtering by Category: Principles
One of the core principles of Alexander Technique is the inseparability of body and mind. Although the Technique is often associated with ‘physical’ improvements in posture and movement, these benefits are initiated through a change in thinking. The practice of constructive thinking empowers the student in sustaining positive physical and mental attitudes.
Read MoreAlexander Technique is a skill which is practised in order to experience associated benefits. The many ways in which we may study or apply the Technique are all based on two particular kinds of thinking: inhibition and direction.
Read MoreThis article presents a simple entry point for beginners to Alexander Technique. Those with experience will recognise it as a core practice for using the Technique at any level. Leaving space for customisation, expansion and refinement, let’s start with an ABC: Availability, Buoyancy and Continuity.
Read MoreA nineteen year old aspiring to become a professional pianist, got to the stage where he’d be writhing on the floor from back pain after playing for fifteen minutes. Three Alexander Technique lessons gave sufficient perspective to manage the crippling back pain. This is the story of how I came to Alexander Technique and the fundamental learning of my first three lessons.
Read MoreIn using Alexander Technique, one core principle is considered primary. The process of coordinating the head-spine relationship is essential to all other motion. The effective use of Alexander Technique pivots around how skilfully one can engage this coordination.
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The Alexander Technique has a remarkable relevance to any vocation - be it trade, art or sport. It deals with fundamentals of human coordination and has a set of principles which organise specialised skills into a constructive framework. Effective prioritisation of attention is a characteristic of positive coordination. Many attempts to find relief from pain, or to improve performance, fail because a certain hierarchy is neglected.
Read MoreA downwards orientation of the self creates a compressing, depressive force. Alexander Technique directions are sometimes abbreviated as “Think Up!” - a universal tonic to downward orientation. The upward direction may stimulate positive engagement with gravity and energise activity. A consideration of the distinction between ‘buoyancy’ and ‘opposition’ may add some refinement to the concept of ‘up’.
Read MoreA threefold process is at the core of Alexander Technique. Together, these three practices offer a concise springboard to its application. The acts are simple, the effects profound.
Read MoreTo have one’s eyes open seems like such a trivial thing. In the practice of Alexander Technique, however, it is an application of principles with deep implications. It challenges views on concentration and intention.
Read MoreThere is a story of a zen monk who approached his teacher after reaching a great realisation:
“Master, I have attained enlightenment! What should I do now?”
The master replied: “Have you finished your rice porridge? Then you should wash your bowl!”
A fine balance is required to manage any specialised skill. Attention must be divided amongst essential specifics, and simultaneously be united towards coordinated performance. Too much attention on one aspect is as disastrous as too little. I consider three fundamental categories encompass all constructive attention. Thinking is most positively constructive to coordinated performance when balanced across the three areas. Thoughts outside of their parameters interfere with successful engagement in skilled activity.
Read MoreA brief overview of core principles of Alexander Technique - how they are used in the lesson and how they apply to life.
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